Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): As the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections approach, political parties are banking on a new promise to sway voters: free electricity. For the first time in the region's history, the offer of free power has become a central theme in election manifestos, with major local parties vying to outdo each other with pledges to alleviate the region's chronic power shortages.
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), the People's Democratic Party (PDP), and Apni Party have all made free electricity a cornerstone of their election campaigns. JKNC has committed to providing 200 units of free electricity to households, a promise echoed by the PDP. Meanwhile, Apni Party has gone a step further, offering 500 units of free electricity during the winter in Kashmir and during the summer in Jammu if they come to power.
These promises aim to win over a populace long frustrated by inconsistent power supply, particularly during harsh winters. However, the feasibility of these proposals remains unclear, as the parties have not provided detailed plans on how they would implement such a significant policy shift.
Omar Abdullah, Vice President of JKNC and a former Chief Minister, criticized the current state of affairs, pointing out that despite Jammu and Kashmir generating significant electricity, much of it is diverted to other states, leaving the region itself struggling with power shortages. Abdullah highlighted the ongoing installation of smart meters, questioning the logic of such moves when the region itself receives only 12% of the electricity generated from its own resources.